Celebrity Autographs And Celebrity Addresses

Rock ’em Sock ’em
The Pro Bowl could be headed
for another offensive shootout
similar to last year’s 55-52
NFC victory
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com
It's certainly true that many players voted into the Pro Bowl over the years have opted out because of various injuries -- some legit, some questionable. For today's game at Aloha Stadium, 13 of the AFC and NFC's 86 all-stars are replacements.

AFC All-Stars vs. NFC All-Stars
When: Today
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.

Where: Aloha Stadium

TV: ESPN

It's not always hangnails and paper cuts that slice into Pro Bowl playing time, though. Troy Aikman left the game early one year so he could fly back to the mainland in time for a memorabilia show. It is not known if the now-retired Cowboys star quarterback signed enough autographs at the event to make up for the $10,000 fine levied upon him by the NFL.

Last week Aikman, now an NFL analyst for FOX, said no one wants to play in the Pro Bowl, and the game should be abolished. Aikman also said words to the effect that everything about the Pro Bowl is great -- except the game itself.

If that's the true sentiment of the players in today's game, they did a pretty good job of hiding it at yesterday's final walk-throughs.

"We enjoy playing the game," said Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, on the eve of his eighth Pro Bowl. "We also enjoy being around the other players and interacting with the fans. It's a great week highlighted by a great event."

Philadelphia's Terrell Owens played in last Sunday's Super Bowl after completing a tremendous job of rehabbing a sprained ankle and broken foot. He's out today, but he practiced the last two days for the NFC, running routes and catching passes.

Is it possible T.O. could get some P.T. today?

"No, he's definitely out, he's been replaced (by the Rams' Torry Holt)," NFL director of game operations for special events Bill McConnell said. "But he wants to play, and that's what it's all about."

So does Mike Vick.

Vick, the Falcons' quarterback and one of the league's most gifted athletes, is eager to show it at his first Pro Bowl today.

"Definitely, I'm focused on this game a whole lot," Vick told the Associated Press this week. "I've been thinking about it since our season ended in Atlanta. This is the first chance I'm going to have to line up against the best of the best."

Vick passed for 2,323 yards and 14 touchdowns, and rushed for 902 yards and three TDs in 2004.

The Colts' Peyton Manning, New England's Tom Brady and San Diego's Drew Brees will quarterback the AFC, with Vick, Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb and Minnesota's Daunte Culpepper running the show for the NFC.

If that's not enough firepower, maybe Dan Marino and Steve Young can go in and sling it around. They will be introduced today as part of the next Hall of Fame class.

When the NFC goes on offense
All eyes will be on Mike Vick, since this is the Pro Bowl debut for the multi-talented Atlanta quarterback. Although Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was intercepted three times and sacked four in last week's Super Bowl loss, he and the Vikings' Daunte Culpepper are coming off their best seasons. Packers running back Ahman Green has 29 career 100-yard games, and he'll be working behind fullback William Henderson, his Green Bay teammate, for the first time in the Pro Bowl.

When the AFC goes on offense
The Colts' Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison is the most prolific quarterback-to-wide receiver combination in NFL history. Also, the Chargers' Drew Brees has a familiar target in tight end Antonio Gates. Gates had 13 TDs this year. The Patriots' Tom Brady doesn't have a teammate to throw to, but Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez worked with all three QBs on some special routes this week in practice. Steelers running back Jerome Bettis will get some carries since this may be his swan song, but look for the AFC to throw early and often.

"I wouldn't want to be a defensive coordinator for this game," NFC coach Jim Mora of the Falcons said. "We might let Mike run around a little bit, and we've got two other great quarterbacks and we've got three great running backs and four great receivers."

All six quarterbacks were the first choices of the voting by fans, players and coaches. No one suddenly developed a cough or a limp. Their presence could lead to something similar to the offensive fireworks of last year's 55-52 NFC victory.

"That was great for the fans and the players," Manning said. "I don't know if we can duplicate it, but I hope the AFC can win this time."

Maybe Broncos safety John Lynch can supply some of the defense the AFC was missing last year -- his previous five Pro Bowl appearances were as a member of the NFC's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"For our first (AFC team) meeting, I went to the wrong locker room," Lynch said. "It's pretty clear the power has shifted to the AFC. It's good to be on this side."

It will be twice as good if his team wins. The winning players today get $35,000 each and those on the losing team get $17,500.

Cowboys defensive tackle La'Roi Glover, in his fifth Pro Bowl, said the experience is about more than making money to pay for the trips of family and friends who came along to Hawaii.

"It never gets old," Glover said. "It's always a good time. It's always a fun time seeing some of the new guys that are coming up for the first time and seeing some of the older guys that have been here more times than I have. You can never have a bad time in Hawaii."

Today's game is the last official event for Jim Steeg as NFL senior vice president in charge of special events. Steeg leaves after 26 years of running the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl to be chief operating officer of the San Diego Chargers. Steeg is replaced by former NHL executive Frank Supovitz.

Also, it might be the final game for Steelers running back Jerome Bettis. "The Bus" was brought in as an injury replacement for the Patriots' Corey Dillon this week. Bettis is contemplating retirement after 12 seasons, including four Pro Bowls.

Today's game is officially a sell-out, and will be shown live locally on ESPN.